Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class. Observations:
On my first visit to Middletown High School, I observed two biology classes and an AP Bio class taught by my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Ferreira. Upon my arrival, she gave me the "Classroom Management Plan" handout and a contract that the students have to sign and return to the teacher. A parent/guardian also has to sign the contract stating he/she has read the classroom management rules, and Mrs. Ferreira keeps each classes' contracts in a separate binder. The management handout consisted of attendance, discipline, grading, notebook, testing, and make-up policies. At the end of the handout the high school's mission statement was reiterated, stating, "Middletown High School is an educational community committed ot providing the academic, civic, and social tools essential for the future success of our students." Mrs. Ferreira said it helps remind her and hopefully the students that these rules are in place to help in the process of building responsible citizens.
Reflections:
I noticed some of the policies being enforced, but it was a smooth transition with no griping from the students, which is the way rules should work out. For example, at the beginning of class, Mrs. Ferreira said to place any completed assignments in the "homework box". She gave the students a few minutes, took what collected in the "homework box" asked the students if there was anyone else to turn assignments in, then put what she had in a grading folder. This showed her enforcing one of the policies that late assignments will not be accepted. Collecting the assignments at the beginning of class prevents students from working on it during instruction. The rule also says, "at the discretion of the teacher" so if a student is having problems with turning assignments in on time then he/she can talk to Mrs. Ferreira and try to resolve the problem or work something out. Mrs. Ferreira emphasized that not everything in the class policy is set in stone, which is why she titled it "Classroom Management Plan" where some policies are absolute and some are more as guidelines to keep the class and teacher in check. I also observed Robin, who co-teaches one of the biology classes with Mrs. Ferreira, helping enforce the notebook policy by checking the students notebooks while they worked on an activity. Notebooks are supposed to be organized into sections labeled, "key terms", "notes", and "assignments". If students didn't have these separated, Robin gave them dividers and organized their papers. Since notebook organization is part of the grade, Robin is encouraging the students to keep their notes in order. Overall, the classes I observed went very smoothly and it seems that Mrs. Ferreira is getting to know her students well and if she is always this jovial and relaxed then class should continue to go well without any misunderstandings of the classroom management plan.
Class Topic: Biology Grade: 9-12 Observed by: Beth Copeley
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observations:
On my first visit to Middletown High School, I observed two biology classes and an AP Bio class taught by my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Ferreira. Upon my arrival, she gave me the "Classroom Management Plan" handout and a contract that the students have to sign and return to the teacher. A parent/guardian also has to sign the contract stating he/she has read the classroom management rules, and Mrs. Ferreira keeps each classes' contracts in a separate binder. The management handout consisted of attendance, discipline, grading, notebook, testing, and make-up policies. At the end of the handout the high school's mission statement was reiterated, stating, "Middletown High School is an educational community committed ot providing the academic, civic, and social tools essential for the future success of our students." Mrs. Ferreira said it helps remind her and hopefully the students that these rules are in place to help in the process of building responsible citizens.
Reflections:
I noticed some of the policies being enforced, but it was a smooth transition with no griping from the students, which is the way rules should work out. For example, at the beginning of class, Mrs. Ferreira said to place any completed assignments in the "homework box". She gave the students a few minutes, took what collected in the "homework box" asked the students if there was anyone else to turn assignments in, then put what she had in a grading folder. This showed her enforcing one of the policies that late assignments will not be accepted. Collecting the assignments at the beginning of class prevents students from working on it during instruction. The rule also says, "at the discretion of the teacher" so if a student is having problems with turning assignments in on time then he/she can talk to Mrs. Ferreira and try to resolve the problem or work something out. Mrs. Ferreira emphasized that not everything in the class policy is set in stone, which is why she titled it "Classroom Management Plan" where some policies are absolute and some are more as guidelines to keep the class and teacher in check. I also observed Robin, who co-teaches one of the biology classes with Mrs. Ferreira, helping enforce the notebook policy by checking the students notebooks while they worked on an activity. Notebooks are supposed to be organized into sections labeled, "key terms", "notes", and "assignments". If students didn't have these separated, Robin gave them dividers and organized their papers. Since notebook organization is part of the grade, Robin is encouraging the students to keep their notes in order. Overall, the classes I observed went very smoothly and it seems that Mrs. Ferreira is getting to know her students well and if she is always this jovial and relaxed then class should continue to go well without any misunderstandings of the classroom management plan.
Class Topic: Biology
Grade: 9-12
Observed by: Beth Copeley